Magnetic molecular agglomerate reducer and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method of reducing agglomeration of fluids consisting of the vigorous agitation of the liquid by a double opposed vortex nozzle and the passing of the liquid through a magnetic field. One of the opposed nozzles may have ozone gas forced through it for treating sewage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and devices for reducing theagglomeration of molecules in a fluid. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to methods and devices for reducing agglomeration inwater and sewage, among others, for various uses.

The individual molecules which make up liquids, as well as all othersubstances, vary greatly in their relative size, complexity andproperties. Individual molecules are capable of being "polar", whichmeans they can carry positive and negative charges at different areaswithin the molecule. This polar propensity varies greatly from substanceto substance and has a significant effect on the overall properties ofthe substance. In water and other liquids, the polarity of theindividual molecules is believed to cause groupings of water molecules("agglomeration") to form in units larger than individual molecules.Other theories for this phenomenon, explained more fully inCo-Applicant's earlier patent regarding this subject (U.S. Pat. No.4,261,521, herein incorporated by reference), are that water has anetwork of joined polyhedral cages formed of H-bonded molecules, andcontaining within their cavities entrapped, but unbound, watermolecules. Also, it has been theorized that water forms "flickeringclusters" of molecules, which constantly change in size and structure.

Whatever the explanation for this phenomenon, it is known that vigorousagitation of liquids, particularly water, will cause a reduction in theagglomeration of the liquid and change its normal properties. Further,Applicants have noticed the same changes for all fluids, whether they bea gas, a liquid, or a solid suspended in a gas or liquid. Some of thechanges in the physical properties of liquids, particularly water, arenoted in Co-Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,521 patent. It isbelieved that reduction of molecular agglomeration creates a relativelygreater number of freed individual liquid molecules available topenetrate openings of pores in cells or plasma membranes and increasesthe solubility of liquids. Oxidation of substances is also increased.Further, it is known in the art that similar effects can be achieved bypassing a fluid through a magnetic field. Changes in the pH, solubilityand "hardness" of water have been noted when the fluid is magneticallyaffected.

Sewage is also comprised substantially of water. The treatment of sewagehas attracted a variety of prior art methods and devices. One manner oftreating sewage known in the art is to use ozone as an oxidizing agentin the treatment. Ozone has several advantages over chlorine (thetraditional gas used for treating sewage) which make ozone an effectivesubstitute. It is known that ozone kills a wider variety of bacteria andviruses in sewage than does chlorine, that ozone is generally safer tohandle, that ozone is more effective at eliminating metals and chemicalsin the sewage and that ozone removes and sterilizes sludge from sewageat a higher rate than chlorine. However, a drawback to the use of ozonehas been the relatively slow reaction time and absorption rate whensewage is treated. Commercially available ozone generators suitable forsewage treatment are manufactured by Schmidding-Werke, in West Germany,among others.

Prior art of which Applicant is aware, although varying widely in itsstructure and use, are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,265,746 (issued to Zimmerman, etal), 4,065,386 (issued to Rigby), 4,050,426 (issued to Sanderson),3,511,776 (issued to Avampato), 3,228,878 (issued to Moody), 2,825,464(issued to Mack).

The present invention combines the agitation means of Co-Applicant'sprior patent with a means for magnetically affecting the fluid in thetreatment of pure water and in the treatment of sewage by ozone.Further, it is contemplated that the design of Applicants' inventioncould be easily modified to detoxify chemical waste. Therefore, it is anobject of the present invention to achieve a greater effect on theproperties of fluids through reduction in agglomeration than thatachieved by Co-Applicant's prior patent. Further, it is an object of thepresent invention to change the physical properties of relatively purewater. Further it is an object of the present invention to treat sewage.Further it is an object of the present invention to aid the treatment ofsewage with an ozone based gas. Other objects of the invention willbecome apparent from the following materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for reducing agglomeration of fluids, comprising means forforcing said fluid through said apparatus, said apparatus comprised ofmagnetic affecting means and agitating means, said agitating meansoperable to vigorously agitate said fluid to reduce the agglomeration insaid fluid, and said magnetic affecting means mounted in close proximityto said agitating means. The agitating means is comprised of at leastone inlet, a plurality of vortex apparatuses and an outlet, said vortexapparatuses operably connected to said inlet, and said outlet operablyconnected to said vortex apparatuses for removing the agitated andmagnetically affected fluid from said agitation means. The vortexapparatuses are mounted in opposing relationship to each other, witheach of said vortex apparatuses comprised of an accelerating chamber anda nozzle, and each nozzle oriented so that the exit of said nozzlesubstantially directs fluid towards fluid exiting another nozzle. Saidvortex apparatuses may be substantially the same size or differentsizes, with separate inlets for each vortex apparatus when said vortexapparatuses are different sizes. The apparatus may be further comprisedof collecting means and connecting means for returning fluid from saidcollecting means to a pump, with said pump acting as the forcing means.

A method for reducing agglomeration of fluids comprising the steps ofsubjecting a fluid to a magnetic field and vigorously agitating saidfluid. The first and second step may be performed relativelysimultaneously. Said agitation may be achieved by pumping said fluid,diverting said fluid into at least two streams, and spraying saidstreams of fluid against each other through opposed nozzles, or saidagitation may be achieved by pumping at least two types of fluid inseparate streams to the device for agitating said fluids and sprayingsaid separate streams against each other through opposed nozzles. Themethod may be further comprised of the steps of collecting saidagitative fluid and pumping said agitative fluid back to the agitatingmeans for repeating said first and second steps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment as seen fromlines 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment as seen fromlines 4--4 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a modification of Co-Applicant's prior patent.The U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,521 patent discusses the structure and operationof the agitation means used in the present invention. The opposed vortexnozzle configuration is effective for reducing agglomeration to acertain extent, but Applicants have found that the addition of amagnetic affecting means has great effects on the properties of waterand that a modified opposed vortex nozzle configuration can haveapplications in the treatment of sewage with ozone or the detoxificationof chemical waste.

FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment as it is constructed in a closed-loopsystem for treating water. A pump 10 circulates the water throughconnecting means 12 to an agglomerate reducing means 14. After thereduction in agglomeration, the water is collected in a collecting means16 and returns to the pump 10 by other connecting means 12.

The agglomerate reducing means 14 of the first embodiment is shown inmore detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. The agglomerate reducing means 14 iscomprised chiefly of two components, namely, a magnetic affecting means20 and an agitating means 22. The magnetic affecting means 20 may becomprised of any magnet known in the art and may be attached to theagitation means 22 by any means known in the art, just so that themagnetic affecting means 20 is held in relatively close relation to thewater at some point. Preferably, the hysteresis of the magnetic field isaligned with the flow of fluid, and that the magnetic affecting means 20is placed at the agitating means 22. The present embodiment uses regularbar magnets attached to the agitating means 22 by brackets or tape (notshown) and magnetically affects the water simultaneous with theagitation.

The agitating means 22 is shown more clearly in FIG. 3. The agitatingmeans 22 is identical to the one shown in Co-Applicant's prior patent,except that the water flows into the agitating means 22 from a singleinlet 24 into a chamber 26. Water collects in the chamber 26 and isseparated into two streams as it flows into the two vortex entrances 28.Once inside the opposed vortex apparatus 30, the water is acceleratedthrough a spiral passageway (not shown) and exits the vortex nozzles 32at a high rate of speed and is forced against an opposing stream ofwater exiting the other vortex nozzle 32. Other details on the agitatingmeans 22 are well known in the art and disclosed fully in Co-Applicant'sprior patent. Of course, design modifications involving more than twonozzles could easily be made. After agitation, the water exits theagitation means 22 through an exit 34. The magnetic affecting means 20is shown in shadow lines.

Although not completely explained, it is clear that the addition of themagnetic affecting means 20 to the agglomerate reducing means 14 hassurprising effects on the properties of pure water beyond that achievedby co-Applicant's prior patent. Using pure water which registered lessthan 0.1 (Si) mg/L in a direct aspiration flame atomic absorption methodtest using Perkin-Elmer model 5,000 unit, versus a controlled sample ofdeionized water, it was found that samples of the water treated byApplicants' invention had a boiling point as much as 5° C. lower thanthat of deionized water. Further, significant differences in surfacetension, diffusion and transportation rate and clearing rate in butanolwere found. Further, the treated water appears to retain its differingproperties for several weeks.

The differences in diffusion and transportation rates have been found tomake the treated water useful as a carrier in the manufacture ofpharmaceuticals. Further, use in chemical separation processes and inchemical refining appears likely.

When regular tap water is treated by the invention of the firstembodiment, the reduction in agglomeration apparently releases suspendedsilicates, as a great settling out of solids has been noted byApplicants. Thus, the invention is a compact and efficient device forsoftening water and removing minerals. The silicates collect in thecollecting means 16 and can be periodically removed.

The principle of reduction of agglomeration has found a second use bythe Applicants in the treatment of sewage. As stated, ozone is a commonsubstituted for chlorine gas in the treatment of sewage. However, thegas used to treat sewage is not pure ozone, but a mixture of ozone,nitrogen and rare metal gases.

Applicants have found that the reduction in agglomeration of the liquidswhich comprise sewage allows treatment by ozone gas to be greatlyspeeded up. The traditional method of treating sewage with ozone gas isto bubble the gas through the sewage to allow it to be absorbed into theliquid. This contact time is normally thirty minutes in order to achievefull absorption and treatment by the ozone. However, the presentinvention allows the sewage to be treated instantly by ozone. In fact,Applicants have found that treatment of sewage by the invention of thesecond embodiment eliminates the need for storage tanks, which are usedto collect sewage and hold it until the treatment process is complete.

This improved treatment of sewage is achieved by the device shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. As stated, the second embodiment involves a modificationof the first embodiment in which one of the vortex nozzles 32 andopposed vortex apparatus 30 is identical to those found in the firstembodiment. Sewage is passed through this liquid vortex nozzle 32. Asshown in FIG. 4, it is necessitated that the chamber 26 be eliminated,and the agitation means 22 is divided into separate inlet lines, with asewage inlet line 36 and an ozone inlet line 38. The ozone inlet line 38allows direct passage of the ozone gas mixture to a gas vortex apparatus40. The gas vortex apparatus 40 is in all respects identical to theliquid vortex apparatus 30 except that the scale is reduced, for reasonsto be discussed hereafter. Likewise, the gas vortex nozzle 42 is similarin structure to the liquid vortex nozzle 32, except that it is on areduced scale. The reasons for the difference in scale between theliquid vortex apparatus 30 and gas vortex apparatus 40 stem from thedifferences in flow capabilities between the liquid and gas. Because theliquid and gas are accelerated so rapidly in the respective vortexapparatus, it is necessary that the opposed apparatuses 30 and 40balance each other. In other words, if the sewage exited nozzle 32 withmore kinetic energy than the ozone gas exited gas vortex nozzle 42, thesewage would overpower the exiting gas and the collision between the gasand the liquid would occur at the gas vortex nozzle 42 exit. Thus, it isrequired that Applicants' invention be designed so that the kineticenergies of the sewage and ozone, when exiting their respective nozzles,are equal so that the collision between the two substances takes placeat a point approximately halfway between the liquid vortex nozzle 32 andgas vortex nozzle 42 exits. This balancing can be done by calculationswell known in the art, given the diameters of the inlet pipes 36 and 38and the pressures at which the sewage and gas are pumped to theagitating means 22. Again, an exit 34 collects the sewage and ozone gasto carry it away.

A side view of the agglomerate reducing means 14 of the secondembodiment is shown in FIG. 5, with the agitating means 22 beingsituated between magnetic affecting means 20. In this side view, thesewage inlet 36 is shown, and the ozone gas inlet 38 is not shown.Again, the magnetic affecting means 20 can be attached to the agitatingmeans 22 by any means known in the art, and can be comprised of barmagnets, electro-magnets, or other magnetic affecting means 20.

It is believed that the great reduction in the time required for theozone to be absorbed into and treat the sewage is brought about by thereduction in agglomeration in the sewage, and possibly the ozone gas,also. As the sewage stream collides with the ozone gas stream,agglomeration in the various liquids making up sewage is reduced, andthe greater number of freed individual molecules can more rapidlypenetrate cell openings or pores in bacteria or viruses in the sewage,as well as other substances. Thus, the principle of the secondembodiment has applications in other areas, such as the detoxificationof chemical waste. The waste is pumped through one nozzle and theoxidizing or detoxifying substance is pumped through the other.

Although the invention has been described in the proceeding embodiments,numerous changes and variations are intended to fall within the scope ofthe present invention. The limitations of the scope of the invention arenot intended to be defined by the description of the preferredembodiment, but rather by the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method for reducing agglomeration in fluids, comprisingthe steps of:pumping a fluid through a first vortex nozzle;simultaneously pumping a second fluid through a second vortex nozzle;agitating the fluids by spraying the fluid exiting the first vortexnozzle against the fluid exiting the second vortex nozzle;simultaneously magnetically affecting the fluids by a magnetic affectingmeans mounted in close proximity to the nozzles.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein:the fluid exiting said first vortex nozzle is ozone; thefluid exiting said second vortex nozzle is sewage.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein:both fluids are water.
 4. An apparatus for reducingagglomeration in fluids, comprising:means for pumping fluids; saidpumping means connected to a means for agitating said fluids; a magneticaffecting means mounted in close proximity to said agitating means formagnetically affecting said fluid as it is pumped through said agitatingmeans; said agitating means further comprised of an inlet, a vortexapparatus connected with said inlet, and an outlet connected to saidvortex apparatus; said inlet and said outlet connected to said pumpingmeans; said vortex apparatus comprised of vortex nozzles mounted withinmeans defining a chamber in opposed relationship to each other; and saidnozzles oriented so as to direct the stream of fluid from one nozzleagainst a stream of fluid from another nozzle.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, wherein:said vortex nozzles are comprised of a first vortex nozzleand a second vortex nozzle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:saidfirst and second vortex nozzles are substantially the same size.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein:said first vortex nozzle is smallerrelative to said second vortex nozzle, said first vortex nozzle carryinga gaseous fluid and said second vortex nozzle carrying a liquid fluid;said first and second vortex nozzles provided with separate inletsconnected to a first and second pumping means.